In India Hinduism rules the culture and none more than for devout believer Kanubhai Asodaria who is offering prayers directly to a Diamond Idol in the shape of Lord Ganesha.
Asodaria acquired this 182.53 carat rough cut loose diamond over 10 years ago from a dealer in Antwerp, Belgium.
‘‘I had purchased rough stones in bulk. When I was sorting them out at home, I could make out that the biggest stone resembled Lord Ganesha. I decided to preserve it and this is the only stone I have refused to part with all these years,’’ said Asodaria, who runs Karam Exports, a small diamond firm.
Like other diamond traders, he sources roughs from abroad and gets them polished in Surat, India. Though he refuses point blank to get this particular gem polished since he feels it would lose its divine shape and thus significance However the diamond is certified by the central government-run Indian Diamond Institute (IDI), Surat. The yellowish grey stone is 48 mm high, 32 mm wide and 20 mm thick and weighs in at 36.50 grams.